Beth – Rugby, Adventure and a New Perspective

Discover how four weeks volunteering in South Africa with United Through Sport helped Beth develop her coaching skills, inspire young people through rugby and experience a life-changing adventure.

Volunteering in South Africa with United Through Sport offers the opportunity to explore an incredible country while making a positive difference in local communities. For Beth, spending four weeks with United Through Sport during July and August was an unforgettable experience that combined her passion for sport with a desire to help young people, develop new skills and travel with purpose.

From coaching rugby in local schools to going on safari and skydiving over Jeffreys Bay, Beth’s journey was filled with new experiences, meaningful connections and opportunities for personal growth. Looking back, it was much more than a volunteering trip. It was an experience that changed her perspective and reminded her of the power of sport to bring people together.

Finding Her Feet in South Africa

Before arriving in South Africa, Beth was excited about the opportunity but understandably had a few nerves about what to expect.

“Before I arrived, I was a wee bit apprehensive about what to expect in terms of what my days would look like in the schools and how I would fit in with everyone.”

Thankfully, those worries didn’t last long. The United Through Sport team helped Beth settle in, making her feel at home from the very beginning.

“My worries were very quickly put to rest by the incredible staff on site as I instantly felt at home. I knew that I wanted to travel with purpose and make a difference to young people’s lives across the globe and UTS was the perfect organisation to offer me that opportunity.”

Coaching Rugby and Making a Difference Through Sport

During her four weeks in South Africa, Beth primarily coached rugby, while also having the opportunity to get involved in basketball. She worked with children across a range of age groups, from five- and six-year-olds taking part in Learn to Move activities to older pupils participating in sport-specific Keep Active sessions.

One of Beth’s favourite parts of the experience was the flexibility she was given to plan and deliver her sessions.

“I loved the flexibility that UTS gave to you when it came to planning and delivering your sessions. They were on hand to help you if you needed any advice/suggestions on what to do but equally gave the ownership to you to deliver sessions how you liked!”

This allowed Beth to develop her coaching skills, bring her own ideas to the sessions and engage with children in different ways.

With visits to three different schools each day, there were plenty of opportunities to meet young people and build connections across the local communities.

“A huge standout for me was arriving at one of the schools and hearing a group of young people shouting Coach Beth at me and waving from across the playground. It made me feel like I was really making an impact which is all I ever wanted.”

For Beth, these moments showed that the experience was about more than coaching sport. It was about building relationships, creating positive experiences and making a meaningful difference to the children she met.

Unforgettable Adventures

While coaching was at the heart of Beth’s experience, exploring South Africa was another major highlight.

“The excursions were incredible and I will hold those memories forever. From jumping out a plane over Jeffreys Bay to Safari in a private reserve, there really was something for everyone. The opportunity to create all these memories with likeminded volunteers made the trip even more special and I can’t wait to meet up with everyone at the UTS Reunion!”

These friendships became an important part of the experience, adding another dimension to a trip that combined volunteering, travel and personal growth.

A New Perspective on Life

Looking back on her time in South Africa, Beth feels the experience gave her a fresh perspective on life and the world around her.

“I think this experience just really put my life into perspective. You truly don’t realise how big the world is out there until you step out of your bubble and take that leap!”

Living and volunteering in a different environment gave Beth the opportunity to learn, challenge herself and appreciate the opportunities she has. It also reinforced the value of stepping outside your comfort zone and embracing new experiences.

For Beth, the lessons went far beyond developing her coaching abilities.

“This trip will teach you so much more than just how to coach, it will teach you to be grateful for what you have and to never take a single day for granted.”

Her experience is a reminder of the many things volunteering abroad can offer. Alongside the chance to support young people through sport, volunteers can develop new skills, build meaningful connections and return home with memories and perspectives that stay with them long after the trip ends.

Beth’s Advice to Future Volunteers

For anyone considering a sports volunteering experience abroad, Beth’s advice is simple: take the leap and make the most of it.

“Throw yourself into it and I promise you won’t regret it.”

Feeling nervous before travelling somewhere new is completely normal, but Beth’s experience shows how rewarding it can be to embrace the unknown.

Whether it’s coaching rugby, trying a new activity, meeting people from different backgrounds or discovering a new country, every part of the experience offers an opportunity to learn something new.

Volunteer in South Africa with United Through Sport

Interested in volunteering through sport? Discover United Through Sport’s volunteering opportunities in South Africa and find out how you could combine your passion for sport with the chance to make a difference in young people’s lives.

START YOUR JOURNEY → Volunteer with United Through Sport